Coupeville Sports

JV spikers rebound, net big road win

September 24, 2024 by David Svien

Adeline Maynes (left) and Sydney Van Dyke delivered big performances Tuesday as Coupeville’s JV swept La Conner. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

A little bump in the road? No big thing.

Bouncing back from a razor-thin loss in its last match, the Coupeville High School JV volleyball squad delivered an epic message Tuesday night.

Invading the gym in which a dynasty was built, the hungry Wolves savaged host La Conner in straight sets, getting big contributions from everyone on the floor.

The 25-9, 26-24, 20-18 win lifts CHS to 2-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 3-1 overall.

While her team came up just short against Mount Vernon Christian in its last match, JV spiker guru Ashley Menges saw a big turnaround. And it pleased her.

“First set looked so clean,” she said. “We’re applying things we’ve learned in practice, things were going really well all the way through.

“Set two we let off the gas a little and got a little complacent, but it was a good lesson to learn how to dig ourselves out of holes.”

Coupeville had nine different players rack up stats Tuesday, a balanced effort Menges loves to see.

“Lots of really good things tonight,” she said. “Lots of players that are starting to show promising things.”

Rockin’ and rollin.

Menges praised the effort of freshmen Isa Mc Fetridge and Chelsi Stevens, who was placed in a new position “and did great filling in where the team needed her.”

The wham-bam duo of Dakota Strong and Lexis Drake combined for 14 kills, joining up with Capri Anter, who carved up the Braves for eight put-aways of her own.

La Conner often didn’t know where the ball was coming from, but they knew it was coming back over the net hard and fast.

“Dakota and Lexi had a really strong night at the net, being consistent as well as keeping their focuses that they work on in practice,” Menges said.

“Overall, lots of really good things and it’s always nice to walk out of that gym with a win.”

Tuesday stats:

Capri Anter — 8 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace
Haylee Armstrong — 15 digs, 1 assist, 4 aces
Lexis Drake — 8 kills, 3 digs, 2 aces
Adeline Maynes — 3 kills, 1 dig, 8 assists, 8 aces
Isa Mc Fetridge — 1 ace
Chelsi Stevens — 1 kill
Dakota Strong — 6 kills
Tenley Stuurmans — 1 kill, 5 digs, 10 assists, 2 aces
Sydney Van Dyke — 3 kills, 4 digs, 1 assist, 4 aces

Posted in Volleyball | Tagged Chelsi Stevens, CHS Wolves, JV, La Conner, Lexis Drake, volleyball | Leave a Comment »

Canes nip Wolves in pitch thriller

September 24, 2024 by David Svien

Wolf booters fuel up after a strong effort on the pitch. (Kimberly Kisch photo)

They held their own, which is saying a lot.

Facing off with an undefeated Mount Vernon Christian boys’ soccer team on its home field Tuesday, the Coupeville High School co-ed squad narrowly lost a 1-0 nail-biter.

The non-conference loss to a league rival drops the Wolves to 1-3-1 on the season, while the Hurricanes get to 4-0-1.

The two teams will tangle again later this season, when MVC comes to Coupeville Oct. 18 for a rematch. That tilt will count in the conference standings.

The Wolves, who were playing down several players, still came with a strong performance on the rival pitch, said CHS coach Robert Wood.

“We played a really good game considering our injuries,” he said. “Mostly defensive, but really good counter attacking strategies.

“Defense was great; everyone we played back there did a great job.”

MVC, which has outscored its foes 12-3 in the early going of the 2024 campaign, netted the game’s lone score on a well-executed shot which found its way through a small gap in the defense.

“Their goal was from 20 yards outside the box, well hit, to the upper corner of the goal,” Wood said. “Impressive.”

Hurlee Bronec and his compadres will play at home under Friday Night Lights. (Jackie Saia photo)

Coupeville returns to action this Friday, Sept. 27, when it hosts La Conner in a game set to kick off at 6:00 PM at Mickey Clark Field. Admission is free.

That clash will be another non-conference game against a league foe, as Northwest 2B/1B League soccer teams fill out their early schedule with such affairs.

CHS begins actual league play Oct. 11, with the final eight games of the season determining playoff slots.

Posted in soccer | Tagged CHS Wolves, Hurlee Bronec, Mount Vernon Christian, road trip, Robert Wood, Soccer | Leave a Comment »

Booster Club’s big night on the way

September 24, 2024 by David Svien

Coupeville High School senior cross country runners want you to buy your booster club dinner tickets today. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Clear your calendar.

The Coupeville Booster Club has set its annual dinner and auction for Saturday, Nov. 2.

The biggest fundraiser of the year, it will be held at the Coupeville Rec Hall, which is located at 901 NW Alexander Street.

Doors open at 4:30 PM with a silent auction starting at the same time.

Dinner, prepared by Serendipity Catering and Events, is set for 6:00, with a dessert auction at 6:30 and a live auction at 7:00.

There will also be raffles throughout the night.

Cost is $55 per person, or you can nab a table for eight people for $400.

Booster Club board members — Danette Beckley, Jon Roberts, Bob Martin, Dina Guay, Leann Leavitt, Michelle Armstrong, Gordon McMillan, and Garrett Arnold — will have tickets for those looking to buy.

If you have questions or want to donate items or services for the auction, contact Danette Beckley at (360) 325-3769.

Posted in Booster Club | Tagged auction, CHS Wolves, Coupeville Booster Club, desserts, fundraiser, Serendipity Catering | Leave a Comment »

They came, they saw, they coached

September 24, 2024 by David Svien

CHS cross country coach Elizabeth Bitting hits the tape first on photo day. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

They keep Wolf sports humming along.

Coupeville High School coaches, some of whom are seen in the pics above and below, are the guiding lights for local athletes.

So today we swing the spotlight on them.

Gridiron gurus (l to r) Alex Turner, Bennett Richter, and Bobby Carr lead the league in facial hair. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Former Wolf supernova Scout Smith has returned to her alma mater, this time as the master. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Robert Wood keeps things hoppin’ on the soccer pitch. (Jackie Saia photo)

Cory Whitmore gets strategic. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Bennett Richter gazes into your soul. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Ashley Menges can’t quite believe how badly Coupeville is crushing its foes. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Posted in Cross Country, Football | Tagged Bennett Richter, CHS Wolves, cross country, Elizabeth Bitting, football | Leave a Comment »

Happy homecoming for faithful fan

September 23, 2024 by David Svien

Bernie Lange keeps an eye on things. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Friday Night Lights shone down on Bernie Lange one more time.

The lifelong Oak Harbor High School sports fan, who is believed to have seen more ‘Cat football games than any other alumni ever, returned to his perch high atop Wildcat Stadium this weekend.

Having just celebrated his 98th birthday, the Class of ’45 grad and World War II vet was on hand to see Oak Harbor pull out a last-second 19-13 win over visiting Stanwood.

The victory lifts the OHHS gridiron squad to 3-0 for the first time since 2018, with a road trip to Sedro-Woolley (also 3-0) next up on the schedule.

Lange, who founded Trico Heating, attended Wildcat football games, home and away, for 70+ years, rarely missing a game, except for the occasional wedding or hospital stay.

He and wife Mary have also been in the stands for decades of basketball, softball, and baseball games, as well as tennis and wrestling matches.

Bernie Lange, who heads up a family sending its fourth generation through the OHHS hallways this year with freshman Henry Lange, currently resides at the Regency on Whidbey assisted living facility.

But Friday night, he was home once more, with fellow fans singing him “Happy Birthday” and the latest incarnation of the Wildcats pulling off some late-game magic.

Exactly the way he planned it.